EIGHT
I hear soft voices speaking close by. I blink a couple of times in the dark, trying to gather my bearings, and realize I am back in Hollie’s bed, buried underneath the mound of pillows.
Turning on my side, I push the fluffy barrier out of the way and squeeze my eyes shut again.
“Hey guys. Would you mind turning the lights down a bit? I can’t see a dang thing in here.”
“Yes, of course, sweetie,” Bonnie replies.
“Good,” I grumble, wondering why I’m acting grumpy when I don’t feel that way. I wait for the redness that I see through my eyelids to become darker. I open my eyes to the sight of Bonnie and Hollie sitting on the floor. They are facing each other, both looking comfy on their own cushions.
“So, what’s going on? How long have I been asleep?”
“You were out for about thirty to forty minutes, I would say,” Bonnie replies quietly.
I follow suit with my own voice. “Huh. Well, I think I just met my mother. No, I did meet my mother. No way that was only a dream.”
For good measure, I lift up my left arm and look at my wrist. Yep. The tattoo is still there. I run my finger over it and trace the pattern, which I now recognize as a Celtic cross, with great admiration.
“So, you said you met your mother… It must have been a nice visit, as I can see you are not upset.”
“Oh, it was indescribable. I can’t believe how wonderful she is. She gave me this tattoo thingy that’ll disappear by sundown if I don’t find a way to make it permanent. How the hell am I supposed to do that? Do you know anything about this?”
I break my deep gaze at my wrist to look up at Bonnie for her response, but instead the expression on my best friend’s face catches my attention. She looks dazed, yet blissful.
I am positive I didn’t look that way earlier when I first learned of my past—and my upcoming future. Which, come to think of it, I still don’t know what that holds.
“Hols, sweetie—you OK? Where’s your head, girlie?”
Hollie turns her head slightly and smiles in my general direction. She seems to be stuck inside her mind for the moment and just going through motions as if on autopilot. I mention this to Bonnie and am told my assumption is correct.
Hollie is meditating and isn’t really in the room right now.
“She drank both the drink you had, and the next one I have prepared for you. She was certainly eager to find out the truth to all of this.”
“Good. I’m glad she’s dealing better than I did. It all ended up getting to me. I kinda freaked out for a bit there, huh?”
Bonnie doesn’t respond. She just stands up and walks out of the room. I take this as a ‘yes.’
I sit and watch Hollie with fascination. I have never seen her look so pure and peaceful. It’s almost as if I am seeing Hollie as a child again, but from an older perspective. It’s a phenomenal sight.
I attempt to memorize Hollie’s face this way so I can pull it up later if I need a smile.
Remembering things is something I am pretty darn good at. I have never had to study for school, as I have a photographic memory. It works mostly for the printed word, but sometimes images are able to stay in my head for a long time, as well.
If I concentrate on Hollie’s every feature, I know I will remember this moment—and how Hollie looks—forever.
Bonnie walks back into the room, carrying a cup of something I assume is meant for me since Hols is pretty much out of it. Bonnie hands me the cup and I eagerly take it, hoping I might experience whatever Hols is right now. I know that in this case, it’s pretty obvious the drink was intended for me, but my knowing that is still a sign that things are different.
Normally, I only know stuff about Hollie, but today I am picking up on a lot of other things I tend to miss. I find it interesting, to say the least, realizing what I am becoming capable of. I look forward to finding out more.
“So what’s this drink for?”
“The drink you are holding now will put you in a bit of a trance, much like Hollie is in, and it will help you meditate. It is meant to help you find your way to the faery realm. We already know you have been there many times, but it is important for you to have control over it. Traveling there in your dreams is no longer good enough, I am afraid.”
Continuing, Bonnie says, “I have placed a bowl down on the floor. It is rain water I purchased at a shop on the way here. It will put you closer to the border of the etheric world and the human one. If you would like to grab another cushion, you may come join us. Drinking the tea will help speed along the process.”
I set my drink down so I won’t spill it, and grab a cushion I find propped against the bed. Visiting my mother must have made me weak—my move to the floor isn’t exactly graceful. I am clumsier than usual. My strength needs to be built up if I am going to be doing this all the time.
I get comfortable and grab my mug, wrapping my hands around it. The warmth feels good, as does the soft cushion. I look over at Hollie again, a smile spreading across my face, and then I pry my eyes away to talk with Bonnie.
“So, I just drink this and what—stare into the bowl?”
“Yes. That is basically how it works. But rather than staring, try to look without focusing on anything. Let your mind open up completely and see where it takes you. Gaze into the water like you did last night at Preston’s.”
“K. Here goes nothing.”
I sip my drink and think of my mother as I look into the blue glass bowl full of water. It doesn’t take me long to finish the drink and not long after I put it down I find myself rubbing my thumb over the mark my mother left on me.
My left hand starts to tingle, so I shake it out. Instead of bringing it back toward myself, I feel the urge to reach for the water. I place my hand above the bowl and make a few slow passes over it. Doing so gives me a sensation of power from deep within—I am now prepared to delve into whatever lies ahead of me.
Starting to feel drowsy, I notice the room going in and out of focus in my periphery. It only takes a second to realize my attempt to scry is working. The room grows smaller, then larger, and then smaller again. Over and over, until I can no longer see the room. My only view is a wall of clouds which sleepily dissipates, bringing vibrant colors and brilliant—almost psychedelic—patterns into focus. I am somewhere else, and this new place is definitely not human.
When the fogginess clears completely, I look around and notice there is life in everything—even the air. The grass is an electric green and is glowing brightly. It, like the air, seems to move—no, breathe—on its own. Tree branches sway as if waving a hello to me. Every flower, a different color. Their mix of fragrance, intoxicating. The sun radiates on my face with a warmth I have never experienced.
Looking down, I jump back in surprise. My clothes glisten with miniscule dew drops. Upon closer contemplation, I realize the drops are not wet. Curious. I felt a cool sort of glow coming from my face and, as I reach to touch it, I notice my hands are covered with the same kind of sparkling shimmer. My clothes and my skin? Amazing.
I hold my arm out and turn my wrist back and forth to watch the sunlight replicate, strangely enough, the twinkling of stars. It is fascinating, and quite lovely. Nothing like this has ever happened in any of my dreams. I suppose that’s because they were only dreams. And when I visited the faery realm yesterday, it had been an almost moonless night that didn’t allow me to see much detail. Not that I was really paying attention, given the circumstances.
I feel alone, and so decide to wander. When I move my right leg, I gasp. The softness of the grass tickles my sole. I place my foot down and feel the pleasantness of the thatch.
My senses begin to overwhelm me, but in a wonderful way. Walking along, I brush the tips of my fingers along the wildflowers, feeling their emotions with each touch. They are truly alive. It is splendid and calming here and it is also … home. Nothing has ever felt so right before.
Ahead in the distance, I see someone, or somet
hing, approaching. It appears to be in a hurry and I am craving interaction with this new world, so I pick up my pace. A sparkling light, not unlike the first sight of my mother, meets me.
This orb also becomes a person. Another gorgeous woman, with skin similar to my own. The dress she is wearing is even more scintillating, if that is possible…
The beauty speaks. “Hello, Kellyn. We have been waiting for you here.”
“Hi,” I reply, my cheeks growing hot. “You know who I am?”
“Of course, my dear. Most of us know all the others here. I have been eager for you to realize your place. We have wanted to meet you for a while now. Cead mile failte.”
“Wow. Um, I really don’t want to sound dumb here but, what does that mean?”
“‘A hundred thousand welcomes.’ It is a traditional Celtic greeting, but in your case, we truly mean it—it is not simply something to say. Your presence here is one that has been foretold, and greatly anticipated.”
“Foretold? You mean, like a prophecy?” I feel my features scrunch up unattractively, but I can’t help it. This whole ‘destiny’ thing feels like too much. It is all believable up until a point … I suppose this discussion is that point. Or maybe it’s that deep down I know it is true and I simply don’t believe I am capable of saving anyone or anything.
“Exactly like a prophecy. It is hidden in the tale passed down that you will be the one to stop the evil which is occurring.”
“Oh. Yeah, well Bonnie did not tell me any of this, and that potion I drank hasn’t seemed to help me understand anything any better…”
New facts and ideas are being thrown at me every few minutes it seems, and I don’t quite know what to make of it all. This leaves butterflies in my stomach that won’t settle down, intent on flying all around.
“I know of the drink you are speaking, and it will take some time to become truly effective. Your time spent here will help speed it along. It will all make sense soon enough. There is no rush, sweet Kellyn.”
The woman continues, “Which reminds me—I know your name, but my manners are horrible. I have not yet introduced myself. My name is Covetina.” She then floats up into the sky, her feet at my eye level. Trails of light fall down from her dress, disappearing before they reach the ground.
“How are you doing that without wings?” I would be standing in disbelief except for I am watching it happen with my own eyes. Maybe I can get used to all of this easier than I thought.
“I am the goddess who rules over wishes, time, life cycles, inspiration of self, and much, much more. Like you, I have a job, and today that job is to help you truly come back home. Floating is just one example of the things of which I am capable.”
“So how will you bring me home? I thought I was already here… And what’s the deal with this prophecy? What exactly am I supposed to do? Or am I not supposed to know yet?” I have many, many questions and cannot wait to learn the answers.
“I could tell you exactly why you are needed so desperately right now, but you will feel more strongly about the cause if you see and feel it for yourself. You already know, but only to an extent. You received a taste last night when you fought off Donovan.”
I stand still for a moment, not responding, and then I begin pacing back and forth. I stop briefly and look at Covetina.
“Is there something I’m supposed to be doing to speed this whole deal along? I’m learning everything so quickly, but I know there’s more. Can we start this homecoming thingy you’re going to do?”
“I am glad you asked that. Your mother baptized you when you were just a babe, but all your time spent in the human realm has taken over your spirit too much. I have prepared a ceremony to birth you again into this world.”
“All right… Is this a normal thing? Just like a human baptism?” I know I’m not a human, but it sounds strange to speak of ‘them’ as being different from myself. I still feel mostly the same.
“Yes, it is an important ritual for us. There is no faery in this land who has not been baptized. It is something we all believe in. It is not a religious ceremony, like a human christening—it more or less ties us closely together and helps to unify the land. We do have a bit of a problem with The Depraved, but even they go through the process.”
“That’s the evil court, right?”
Covetina nods.
“Well, do we have to go somewhere else? I don’t see any water around here…” I glance around only to see tall grasses and colorful trees.
“Yes, my dear. We shall walk to the water. Please follow me.”
I trail behind Covetina, watching her as she appears to glide over the grass and flowers. She is the epitome of what one would think of when imagining a faery goddess, or at least this is how I would picture one.
The woman captures my attention so strongly, I almost forget my surroundings, but not quite. I still am able to appreciate the beauty all around me—not just in front of me.
It helps immensely that I now have such great vision. I can see in great detail at many different angles, even without turning my head. There is nothing about this world, and being a faery, that I am not in love with.
We come upon a glorious body of water. It is bubbling, and happy fish are swimming around and playing, just as in the koi pond.
The grass gives way to a sandy white beach on one side of the lake. It is much bigger than the pond in Preston’s yard. This is a sparkling, life-filled wonder among the expanse of the field Covetina and I are in.
I amend my earlier thought about wanting a koi pond. Now that I know there are things even more magical, I can’t possibly settle for something that simple.
Dusk is settling, and a tiny sliver of a moon manages to light the entire sky. Just minutes before, I had been mesmerized by the reaction of the sun on objects and now I find myself marveling at the moon. It should have all be too much, but, as Bonnie said, my dreams have been preparing me for this my entire life.
I am now ready to be born again into this new world. My new home.